Rwandan midfielder Samuel Gueulette has left RAAL La Louvière to join Romanian top-flight side UTA Arad, bringing an impressive five-year spell with the Belgian club to an end. The Rwanda international departs La Louvière after making 142 appearances since joining the club at the start of the 2021/22 season, when the team was competing in Belgium’s second tier. Over the years, Gueulette established himself as one of the club’s most reliable players and played a key role in its rise through the Belgian football pyramid. Romanian giants Dinamo Bucharest and Bulgarian champions Ludogorets were reportedly among the clubs monitoring his situation, but UTA Arad eventually won the race for his signature after making the midfielder one of their priority targets. RAAL La Louvière announced his departure in an emotional farewell message to supporters. “Samuel Gueulette is leaving our den and will continue his career in Romania. Thank you for all these wonderful years, Samicho!” Gueulette arrived in Romania on Tuesday before completing his move and signing his contract with UTA Arad, a historic club competing in the Romanian top flight. The transfer marks a significant milestone in his career as it will be his first professional experience outside Belgium. Gueulette leaves La Louvière having become one of the faces of the club’s recent success. He joined when the team was still playing in the lower divisions and played an important role in its progression, eventually taking on leadership responsibilities as one of the club’s captains. Born in Belgium to a Rwandan family, Gueulette began his football journey in the youth ranks of Tubize before earning his first senior opportunities with Roeselare. His performances earned him a move to RAAL La Louvière in 2021, where he developed into a key figure in midfield and established himself as one of the team’s most trusted players. Last season, the defensive midfielder was among the first names on the team sheet, starting 32 league matches.
